Sramana 2009 01

SR No.: 525067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shreeprakash Pandey, Vijay Kumar
Publisher: Parshvanath Vidhyashram Varanasi
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 100
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Sramana, & India
File Size: 14 MB

Page 70

Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture
It is evident that Jainism is an ancient religion of India and that right from hoary antiquity" to the present day it has continued to flourish along with other religions, in different parts of India. Jainas, the followers of Jainism, are, therefore, found all over India from ancient times. The Jainas are also known everywhere for the strict observance of their religious practices in their daily lives. That is why Jainism could survive in India for the last so many centuries. The Jainas, in this way, succeeded in continuing to exist as devout followers of a distinct religion in India.
But this is not the only distinguishing feature of Jainas in India. In fact, the most outstanding characteristic of Jainas in India is their very impressive record of contributions to Indian culture. In comparison with the limited and small population of Jainas, the achievements of Jainas in enriching the various aspects of Indian culture are really great and commendable. Languages and Literature
Śramana, Vol. 60, No. 1 January-March 2009
Perhaps the most creditable contribution of Jainas is in the field of languages and literature. It is quite evidence that right from the Vedic period two different currents of thought and ways of life known as (a) Brāhmaṇa culture and (b) Śramana culture are prevalent in India The Śramana culture is mainly represented by the Jainas and the Buddhists and of them the Jainas were the first to propagate that culture. That is why from ancient *Asst. Director, Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, I.T.I. Road, Varanasi
Dr. S.P. Pandey
times we have the Śramana literature besides the Brahmanic literature. The prominent features of the Śramana literature are as follows: It disregards the system of castes and Asramas. It does not believe in God as creator, sustainer and destroyer. It imphasizes that man is himself his destiny maker. No any outer agency is responsible for sorrow and sufferings of man. It teaches a morality of compassion and ahimsa, quite distinct from the ethics of Brahmanism with its ideals of the great sacrificers and generous supporter of the priests, and of strict adherence to the caste system.
The authors of this Śramana literature have contributed enormously to the religious, ethical, poetical, and scientific literature of ancient India. A close examination of the vast religious literature of the Jainas has been made by M. Winternitz in his 'History of Indian Literature. In this masterly survey of ancient Indian literature, M. Winternitz has asserted that the Jainas were foremost in composing various kinds of narrative literature like Puranas, Caritras, Kathas, Prabandhas, etc. Besides a very extensive body of poetical narratives, the non-canonical literature of the Jainas consists of an immense number of commentaries and independent works on dogma, ethics and monastic discipline. They also composed legends of saints and works on ecclesiastical history. As fond of story-telling, the Jainas were good story-tellers and have.